1409) Human Right ALARM in Armenia: The undersigned are intellectuals who have been subjected to political persecution in post-Soviet Armenia . . .

The undersigned are intellectuals who have been subjected to political persecution in post-Soviet Armenia. Herewith, we would like to deliver our message to the communities of Armenia and Diaspora, national institutions, cultural organizations, political parties and state bodies, human rights organizations, writers' unions around the world, as well as the democratic nations which have diplomatic relations with the Republic of Armenia (RA):

1) Armenia is one of those post-Soviet independent republics where tyranny keeps hardening tending to transform into dictatorship. The organized persecution of intellectuals, who dare expose and criticize the ruling junta's criminal offenses and its large-scale theft of the national wealth, intensifies day after day.

2) The persecution is instructed by the self-declared ruling clan in active cooperation with various state and non-state institutions, including the National Security Administration, the RA Police, Yerevan's municipal council, the RA Prosecutor's Office, the Justice Ministry.

3) The undersigned have personally suffered from humiliating oppression carried out by the mentioned bodies. The persecution and oppression are expressed in various forms, such as:

a. Confiscating assets and obliterating all financial means;

b. Expelling from Armenia and hindering any attempt to return;

c. Interfering with the activities of publishing houses and bookstores with the purpose of prohibiting the distribution and reading of our books in the country;

d. Persecuting and terrorizing the people who deal with the publication, distribution or promotion of our books. Specifically, there are cases of unlicensed intrusion into their residences, unsanctioned search of property to confiscate unpublished books, personal documents, steal and damage important information stored in the personal computer, intrusion into media premises to arrest journalists promoting our books or writing articles in our favor;

e. Filing false lawsuits, introducing false witnesses while terrorizing true witnesses and their relatives, wiretapping, issuing assassination threats or threats to imprison, harassing and terrorizing our representatives or attorneys, demanding huge bribes, ordering arrests;

f. Interrogating close friends of the author and luring them to participate in covert operations to assassinate the author by bribing with the author's own assets in RA or threatening to file lawsuits against them for "treason against Armenia."

4) We are concerned with the attitude of certain political organizations towards those who practice free speech and generate new ideas in the Armenian reality. We are upset by the consistent propaganda intended to demoralize the writers who fearlessly expose the truth. We address all party leaders and members, expecting them to give an adequate assessment of these measures and stop being the henchmen for the junta's policy of silencing or subduing the Diaspora.

5) Over the past few years the Armenian mass media has been actively covering issues related to foreign writers who speak against existing taboos in their countries, especially Turkey. Unfortunately, with negligent but respectful exceptions, the intellectuals who try to overcome taboos in the Armenian reality are neglected altogether. Such hypocrisy is acquiescence to the persecution of writers and a case of complicity with the junta.

6) We believe that an immoral regime violating the fundamental rights of its own people is bereft of grounds to demand morality from another state, particularly when genocide recognition is in question.

7) This is a time when the cornerstones of the motherland are laid for future generations, and the activities of such an irresponsible and immoral regime and the organizations supporting it may lead to irreversible consequences. Realizing the paramount importance of building a prosperous motherland and the urgency of preserving the achieved independence today, we address:

a) The Armenians all over the world to attend to the protection of free speech in the Republic of Armenia, as well as the Diaspora.

b) All political organizations to reconsider their policies towards the junta tyrannizing Armenia and terrorizing its intellectuals, to stop being their vassals abroad by disorienting other countries and the Armenians of Diaspora, to stow the constant bawdry and defamation of writers in the mass media.

c) Cultural organizations to apply depoliticized, nonpartisan and unbiased approach to Armenian literature, to pay due attention to writers and artists who are abreast with the times and, why not, to raise the public's awareness of their message.

d) The Writers' Union of Armenia to abide by its responsibility to protect the rights of exiled Armenian writers and take firm steps within and outside the republic to stop all forms of overt and covert persecution against them, guarantee their safe return to Armenia to exercise their civil rights.

e) International organizations to take corresponding steps to eliminate any obvious or hidden obstacles infringing upon writers' rights, and facilitate their return to their motherland.

f) Intellectuals who have suffered from intolerance and persecution under despotic regimes to join our forces and struggle for the right to free speech all over the world.

g) Freethinking Turkish writers to unite in the fight for the abolition of taboos both in Turkey and Armenia with the purpose of establishing real democracy and ensuring writers' free speech and security.

h) Governmental and non-governmental organizations of the EU, USA, France, Sweden and other democracies. By abusing the diplomatic and economic ties with these democratic countries, the incumbent junta endeavors to gain political capital and ensure the continuity of its power. Any assistance to such antidemocratic and criminal group of people is against the interests of democratic societies. Any external force that indirectly supports the establishment and preservation of the illegal leadership deeply disappoints the Armenian people.

i) The security agencies of democratic countries to expose and persecute the agents and accomplices of the junta operating within these countries who threaten the rights of these countries' citizens for free speech.

Union of Exiled Armenian Writers and Intellectuals:

Vahe Avetian (Vahe), Sweden, author of Independence Army (2003), EstablishMENT (2003), Svartskalle (2004), From here and there (2004), Blatte (2005), Baghdasar, Loki, Nils, Shvejk (2005).

Armen Melikian (Dog Son of Dog), USA, author of Acts of Dogs or A Journey to Virginland (2005).

Alexander Varpetian, France, ethnologist, president of Essence Temple of National Wisdom, author of Essence (1995), Genesis (2000) and many other books.

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PUBLIC SUPPORT - mail
Ara Baliozian (Canada) - writer
Armine Barseghyan (Finland) - economist
Armen Martirossyan (USA) - doctor of philosophy
Angela Barseghian (USA) - lawyer
Louisa Poghosyan (Armenia) - human rights defender
Georgi Vanyan (Armenia) - human rights defender
Gor Mkhitaryan (USA) - musician
Louisa Avetian (Sweden) - linguist
SEV (USA) - artist
Karen Karslyan (Armenia) - writer
Kahren Harutyunyan (USA) - (UCLA) - art and literature
Ara Manoogian (USA) - human rights defender
Igor Boyko (Russia) - musician
Katia Sisfontes (Sweden) - designer, artist
Zaruhi Pirumyan (Denmark) - musician, artist
Lena Lindstedt (Sweden) - designer, artist
Burt Edman (Sweden) - designer, artist
Stepan Grigoryan (Armenia) - doctor of political science
Chingiz Gusejnov (Azerbaijan) - writer
Alekper Aliyev (Azerbaijan) - writer
Shahin Rzayev (Azerbaijan) - writer
Seymur Baycan (Azerbaijan) - writer
Ashot Beglaryan (Nagorni Karabagh) - writer
Khamis Masimov (Azerbaijan) - human rights defender
Elmir Mirzoev (Azerbaijan) - composer
Irakli Chikhladze (Georgia) - journalist
Carmen Barseghyan (Russia) - lawyer
Shushan Khachatrian (Russia) - linguist
Armik Harutyunyan (Armenia)- retired teacher
Saiful Islam (Finland) - entrepreneur
Firudin Allahverdi (Azerbaijan) - composer
Albert Voskanyan (Nagorni Karabagh) - human rights defender
Daur Nachkebia (Abkhazia) - writer, publicist
Vladimir Zarevski (Russia) - lawyer
Tauna Ningungo (Calahari) - story teller, musician, composer, teacher
Manoushak Grigorian (Sweden) - linguist
Tibor Knezevic (Sweden) - student
Anush Melikian (Armenia) - journalist
Roberto Bruno (Italy) - professor
Anup Sharma (Nepal) - student
Lukas Benesovsky (Czech Republic)
Edward Mouradian (Denmark)
Hasmik Geghamyan (USA) - radiojournalist/CSULA
Marcin Pilarczyk (Poland) - student
Arif Yunus (Azerbaijan) - human rights defender
Chingiz Sultansoi (Azerbaijan) - writer
Pavel Ekmekchyan (USA) - attorney at law
Jhangiryan Gohar (Armenia) - accountant
Jhangiryan Margarit (Armenia) - sales person
Shahbazyan Gayane (Armenia) - economist
Shahbazyan Hasmik (Armenia) - designer
Nazaryan Alisa (Armenia) - librarian
Khachatryan Tamara (Armenia) - retired accountant
Tsaturyan Hayk (Russia) - engineer
Tsaturyan Nikolay (Russia) - lawyer
Tsaturyan Siran (Russia) - teacher
Tsaturyan Ashot (Russia) - entrepreneur
Martirosyan Misha (Armenia) - engineer
Hovhanisyan Anahit (Armenia) - accountant
Martirosyan Tamara (Russia) - journalist
Martirosyan Hripsime (Armenia) - teacher
Aghasyan Silva (Armenia) - entrepreneur
Hovakimyan Artur (Armenia) - technician
Sahakyan Amalya (Armenia) - teacher
Hovakimian Susanna (Armenia) - accountant
Manukyan Jema (Armenia) - retired
Aghasyan Rafik (Armenia)- teacher
Mughnetsyan Piruza (Armenia) - teacher
Nalbandyan Anzhik (Armenia) - teacher
Simonyan Tamara(Armenia) - sales person
Shahbazyan Lala (Armenia) - teacher
Darbinyan Anahit (Armenia) - doctor
Ghazaryan Lala (Armenia) - doctor
Muradyan Anush (Armenia) - doctor
Martirosyan Melanya (Russia) - sales person
Karchikyan Anahit (Armenia) - technician
Mardanyan Sergey (Armenia) - lawyer
Nazaryan Andranik (Russia) - entrepreneur
Nazaryan Arayik (Russia) - entrepreneur
Nazaryan Marine (Russia) - entrepreneur
Nazaryan Shogher (Russia) - housewife
Khachatryan Armine (Russia) - teacher
Movsisyan Roza (Russia)
Khachatryan NOrayr (Russia) - student
Khachatryan Khachatur (Russia) - student
Khachatryan Rafael (Russia) - student
Khachatryan Tamara (Russia) - translator
Stepanyan Karen (Russia) - lawyer
Stepanyan David (Russia) - student
Stepanya Eliza (Armenia) - teacher
Nikoghosyan Lida (Armenia) - retired teacher
Nikoghoshyan Marieta (Armenia) - retired teacher
Hovakimyan Ara (Armenia) - student
Hovakimyan Ani (Armenia) - student
Nazaryan Qnar (Armenia) - farmer
Nazaryan Areqnaz (Armenia) - farmer
Nazaryan Khachik (Armenia) - farmer
Mirzoyan Marieta (Armenia) - farmer
Mirzoyan Sergey (Armenia) - farmer
Mirzoyan Virap (Armenia) - musician
Khachatryan Ashot (Russia) - artisan
Khachatryan Vardan (Russia) - artisan
Khachatryan Karine (Russia)-manager
Abram Sldaryan (USA)
Nairi Hakhverdian (Netherlands) - literary critic
Aghasi Yesayan (Armenia)
Irina Alaverdyan (Armenia) - Georgetown university - student
Gevorg Barseghian (USA) - Architect urbanologist
Serguei Hovsepian (USA) - Programmer Analist
Hrant Davtyan (Canada) - foreman
Robert Yeghiyan (Portugal) - Lisboa

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Kindly Forwarded by Ara Baliozian

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Reader's Comments:

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Dear Lara and Ara,

Re: 1409 ALARM: (Just rcvd Aras’s new letter 1432, taking it home to read when I have time)

On above declaration of intellectuals plus alike recent developments I should like to comment as follows:

Regarding Free Thinking of Turkish Writers, it depends on who writes for what…since too many of them are sold or buttered. Since like 95% of Turks who tried to read Pamuk, had to throw the book after the first 40 – 50 pages, do you really believe that he was rewarded with NOBEL for his writings? Or George Bush knew him so well, that he mentioned his name when he was in Istanbul (I think 2003)? I really admire the big brothers for their efficiency, though I do not know who those cashiers are!

I do not mind what people speak, if it has any clue of truth or open to counter argument… But those “free talkers” are “deaf to others” and would not let others enter the conference room, unless they are damn sure that he will applaud, anything that they say… You know better those “monchoonies” (this is the monkey breed of the panchoonies surviing on bananas only).

I liked Armenian Melikian’s translation of “Kopekoglu kopek” (dog, son of dog) and seems that he is among the very few that does not wag the tail but keep it up. That’s quite a hard job and I compliment the four writers for their courageous declaration, but my supporting it on the list, may tarnish their names and ideals. I want to contribute to the same ideology or frequency, with two very recent news.

a- On Friday evening, the Kanal B (Baskent University TV in Ankara) issued their weekly program, hosting three scholars, Prof. Ataov, Cihat Ozdemir and Kamer Kasim. Among those interviewed by phone there was Andrew Mango and Haykaram Nahabetyan, historian from Yerevan. Haykaram’s Turkish was pretty good and his courage to speak is worth much applaud. But when it came to “evidence” all he could mention was the “Blue Book” (which not even the British took it for serious for their Malta trials that could never start), or Morgenthau’s tailored-ordered fiction book, or Andonian’s fake telegrams. However, it was an open friendly, polite dialogue. Two local Armenians also participated by phone, one of them expressing his frustration over the US Congress Resolution (which was the main subject) disturbing some 80.000 Turkish Armenians, plus some 60-70.000 illegal tourist Armenians working for minimal earnings. He said that his name was Sarkis and that he was liked and respected as he is and that all address him by his name. He asked, why the diaspora Armenians change even their names to “Richard, George” which are not Armenian.(He had caught a good fish!)

Another Turkish Armenian also phoned and he said that Sarkis was not authorized to speak for all Turkish Armenians, and that in many cases they are not treated equally. Another guy e-mailed saying that he did not like the chairman. It was a nice, quality talk show, and the other Armenian citizen who said that there is “some discrimination” was right, but he was damn wrong in thinking that it is done to them only… When you read below paragraph, you will understand why…

b- Yesterday, Sunday morning, two well known columnists, Mustafa Balbay from CUMHURIYET and Emin Colasan from HURRIYET (who do not wag tails but write up all corruptions) showed on the TV an official letter written by the Ministry of Finance Tax Investigation Department, to all banks, asking within 15 days, all banking transaction records, check copies if any, payments, transfers etc. made by seven persons. What was common about those guys, (Cuney Arcayurek from Cumhuriyet, Tuncay Ozkan a fervent anchor man and now owner of Kanalturk TV), that they were all working in Kanalturk TV and making programs on the on going corruptions and law protected brigandry.

Tuncay Ozkan and Cuneyt Arcayurek, in their Sunday noon talk show (followed by many) referred to the other program and the official letter, now made public, which was a serious discrimination to find just a thread of evidence, to lynch those guys, who were “telling truths” the government members or party does not like to hear because they have no answer at all!

As if this anti-constitutional dictatorial and discriminatory finance investigation was not enough, during the transmission of the Kanalturk TV speaking all these, all of the sudden the screen was blacked out for nearly two minutes ! When the program started again, Tuncay Ozkan explained what happened. Kanalturk TV is in Istanbul, Cuneyt Arcayurek was sick in Ankara and the program was transmitted via satellite from Ankara to Istanbul, on the frequency channel belonging to them. Apparently, another outside program was intruded with the same frequency on the on-going transmission.

Result: Dashnak’s bandits or humbabets did not discriminate between who is Turk and who is Armenian, in looting, robbing, killing… Above example is enough proof that we are all of the same “shit kin” (bokun soyu) and it is not truly the ethnicity, or religion or nationality that makes the difference, but it is some times, the “gene” of the person …. It can be “shit kin, or dog kin, or monkey kin, or Dracula kin, up to the infinite”.

I hope that my contribution and sharing your ALARM 1409 will compensate the frustration of the writers headed by Ara the Sledgehammer.

Life is easy when you wag your tail to the master, who throws you bread and sometimes even steaks instead of bones.

Best regards to all….

Sukru S. Aya

19th Feb 2007

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